Badminton

India's Thomas Cup defense hit a roadblock as they succumbed to a 1-4 defeat against Indonesia in their final Group C tie. Despite qualifying for the quarter-finals, the defending champions were given a wake-up call ahead of the knockouts.HS Prannoy emerged as a bright spot for India, showcasing his readiness for the upcoming challenges. The Indian No.1 overcame health concerns to pull off a come-from-behind victory over world No.7 Anthony Sinisuka Ginting.The first doubles match proved to be a nail-biter, with Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty narrowly losing to Muhammad Shohibul Fikri and Bagas Maulana after saving 12 match points.Lakshya Sen fought valiantly against reigning All England and Asian champion Jonatan Christie, but ultimately fell short in a three-game thriller. The defeat gave Indonesia the lead in the tie.India's hopes of an upset in the second doubles were dashed as Dhruv Kapila and K Sai Pratheek lost to world No.13 Leo Carnando and Daniel Martin.In the third singles, Kidambi Srikanth squandered two match points before losing to Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo.Despite the setback, India remains confident heading into the quarter-finals, where they will face hosts China. The Indian women's team, meanwhile, will take on Japan in the Uber Cup quarter-final on Thursday.

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has unveiled the draws for the prestigious Thomas Cup and Uber Cup, scheduled to take place from April 28 to May 5, 2024. Defending Thomas Cup champion India has been placed in Group C alongside 14-time winner Indonesia, Thailand, and England.In the Uber Cup, India has been drawn into Group A with 15-time champion China, Canada, and Singapore. India's best performance in the Uber Cup remains the bronze medals they secured in 2014 and 2016.Last year, India made history by defeating Indonesia 3-0 in the Thomas Cup final, claiming their maiden title. The tournament, which began in 1949, is the pinnacle of men's badminton competition.India's Thomas Cup group will be a challenging one, with Indonesia seeking revenge for their defeat in the previous edition. Thailand and England are also formidable opponents, making Group C one of the most competitive.In the Uber Cup, India will face a daunting task against China, who have dominated the competition for years. Canada and Singapore will provide additional challenges, but India will need to be at their best to advance from the group stage.The draws were announced by BWF on Twitter, with the organization stating, "Thomas Cup Group C: Indonesia, India, Thailand, England." The Badminton Association of India (BAI) also tweeted the Uber Cup draw, stating, "Draw - BWF Uber Cup Finals 2024 #TeamIndia has been drawn in Group A. Group A: China, India, Canada, Singapore #ThomasUberCupFinals."India's goal will be to defend their Thomas Cup title and improve upon their Uber Cup performance. The team will be led by star shuttlers such as Lakshya Sen, Kidambi Srikanth, and P.V. Sindhu, who will be eager to make their mark on the international stage.